The miners live and work at their mining pit, working from dawn to dusk, only allowing short brakes for a sip of water and a mid-day hot rice & curry meal brought by the village women.
With no machinery and very simple shovels and other hand tools, the diggers make their quest for potential fortune. The soil and gravel is dug out and washed in the bottom of the pit, before the rough result is being carried to a nearby stream for a refined wash and close inspection.
The road to potential riches is paved with seemingly endless work..
A certain excitement is building up as the second washing takes place- will we discover a Gemstone today?
The final result of a long days work is scrutinized by sharp and well-trained eyes.. The sudden silence is almost physical as the miner's own expert is given ample time to carefully study the results.. but as so often is the case in this tough business; despite a good handful of semi-precious stones and rough low-quality gemstones, there are actually none of real commercial value..
As we prepared for a return to our more comfortable surroundings, and as a big thanks to the friendly miners for their kind hospitality shown towards us two foreign Roadies, we decide to buy the loot wholesale..
